So what exactly is in the air that we breathe? We can’t see them, but the air that we breathe contains a wealth of biological particles which could damage our health. Scientists have embarked on a three-year project to find new ways of analyzing air samples more quickly and accurately than ever before. The methods developed from the research will offer guidance for addressing public health or major infection outbreaks.

Stem cells might heal damaged lungs Collectively, such diseases of the airways as emphysema, bronchitis, asthma and cystic fibrosis are the second leading cause of death worldwide. More than 35 million Americans alone suffer from chronic respiratory disease. Scientists have now proposed a new direction that could, in the future, lead to the development of a method for alleviating some of their suffering. The study's findings show how it might be possible to use embryonic stem cells to repair damaged lung tissue.

How the lung repairs its wounds Our lungs are permanently exposed to harmful environmental factors that can damage or even destroy their cells. In a specific regenerative process these injured cells must be replaced as soon as possible. Scientists have now, for the first time, gained detailed insights into the dynamic remodeling of the tissue during lung repair.